Andrew McMillan received a grant of $4,500 for a mobility dog that will assist him with everyday tasks. The dog will provide Andrew with new-found independence and an increased level of well-being. As well as making his daily tasks easier, he will also gain a lifelong companion.

Auckland Hospital Foundation helps the regions hospitals provide the best possible health outcomes. The foundation received a grant of $5,000 to assist with its Rise Scholarship programme which supports nursing and midwifery students to be successful and complete their qualifications without financial or emotional pressures.

Blue Light Ventures runs leadership programmes for over 100 youth each year at Whenuapai Air Base. It received $2,812 to purchase caps and t-shirt for all the attendees at next year’s programme. The students are nominated by their school or community for demonstrating leadership potential but don’t have the opportunity to further this skill.

Charmaine Brinsdon received a grant of $4,959 to fund the cost of purchasing a custom recumbent trike for her 9-year-old daughter, Prayer. Prayer loves to play with her active older sisters, but her physical and mental disabilities have made this difficult. The new trike will give her more freedom to enjoy everyday life.

The Christchurch School of Music Incorporated offer music classes for everyone from pre-schoolers through to grandparents. CSM received a grant of $1,920.41 to cover the additional cost of two beginner bassoons, called Tenoroons. These instruments will be used by new musicians wanting to learn but are not in a position to afford one.

Environment Network Manawatū received a grant of $5,158 to fund the cost of 60 NAWAC traps for feral cats and possums. The traps will mitigate predator pests and support its Southern Ruahine Kiwi Habitat Restoration Project (Ruahine Kiwi) which aims to reintroduce Kiwi by 2026.

He Waka Eke Noa Charitable Trust grows and develops the arts in Aotearoa by providing mentorship, opportunities, and facilities to Kiwis. The trust received a grant of $2,850 for the installation of a 3-phase power outlet at their performance venue – The Factory Theatre. The theatre will be able to support artists from all areas of the country and support a wide range of practitioners to tell their stories.

Matatatoki School has designed a new garden area on its school grounds as an outdoor classroom space for students to enjoy. The school received $3,773.95 to go towards creating a new vegetable garden, a chill out spot and a boardwalk to create the new area.

The New Zealand Conservation Trust received a grant of $3,911.30 to purchase a Brinsea Ova-Easy190 incubator which holds 12 eggs in one unit. The trust protects kiwis through conservation, education, and collaboration. The new incubator creates a great opportunity for the trust to significantly increase the number of eggs that it currently incubates.

Ohakune Carrot Adventure Park provides tourists and locals with a warm, friendly environment with a focus on physical exercise and providing healthy eating options. It received a grant of $1,280.00 to excavate and clear the waste and toxic plants from the riverbank to allow native plants to be planted ahead of the area’s unveiling in February.